UEFA: major coefficient implications for France, Portugal, and Russia in European play-off matches

France is, as of 23/08/2016, fifth in the UEFA coefficient rankings with 44.415 points, slightly ahead of Russia (6^th, 43.232 points) and Portugal (7^th, 42.999 points), with a club representative from each of these countries contesting the second legs of Champions League play-off ties on 23 and 24/08/2016.

This "association coefficient" update (see below) takes into account the initial results obtained by the clubs in each country since the start of the 2016-17 season, but does not take into account the points obtained during the 2011-12 season, which - along with the final results for the 2015-16 season - have determined the number of clubs from each association in the European cups in 2017-18.

France, Portugal, and Russia are the three countries involved in a race to maintain at least sixth place in the UEFA association rankings, which assures three Champions League places (two automatic, plus one via qualification), whereas 7^th place in the ranking only receives two Champions League places (one automatic, plus one via qualification).

France has benefited the most from the ongoing…